Iím going to introduce myself: This is Sonny Weems of Toronto Raptors fame. Last summer I signed with Zalgiris Kaunas of Lithuania and Iím now going to blog here at HoopsHype about my experiences in Europe Ė pretty much what Pete Mickeal used to do at the site.

Just got to Kaunas after losing against Unicaja in Game 2 of the Euroleague regular season. It was a tough game, a tough loss. In the NBA when you lose a game, you go to the next one. Over here you canít: Every game counts.

After eight games, I can say playing in Europe is way different to playing in the NBA. In the U.S. if youíre up by a certain amount of points, some teams just give up. Not here. Every possesion counts.

Another difference is the slow-paced game, which forces you to use your half-court abilities. Thereís a lot of flopping too and they donít call some foulsÖ And I have to handle the traveling situation. I got two travel calls Tuesday night, so I have to work on that throughout practice. Right now my focus is getting better at half-court situations.

The first Euroleague game was against CSKA Moscow, Andrei Kirilenkoís team. It was nice to play against him, we talked a little bit and we cracked some jokes. At the end he played a great game and got the win.

LAWSONíS TWITTER BEEF

Well, as you may know, my friend and teammate Ty Lawson had an argument with some fans on Twitter.

We actually talked a little bit about it before he tweeted it. I donít think there will be any consequences. I think thatís one debate you canít win. First you have to deal with the fans and then you have to deal with the coaches. Thatís one thing I donít want to get involved in.

DISCOVERING NEW PLACES

Playing abroad gives you the opportunity to travel a lot and discover very interesting cities. Russia was great. MoscowÖ I really like it. Itís like a bigger New York City! Nightlife, shoppingÖ Then I went to Kazakhstan, and I thought it was going to be one of the worst places Iíve ever been - thatís what most of my teammates were saying - but it was great! One of the best places Iíve seen in Europe so far! No Borat, friends.

Traveling is always good because it opens your eyes a lot. Thereís really good cities besides Miami, L.A. and other cities you know about.

DISCOVERING THE WIRE

One thing Iíve got to tell you is that I canít stop watching HBOís The Wire! Iíve been watching it like crazy. I used to hear a lot of people talking about it, but I never had the chance to watch it. Iíve started like a couple of weeks ago and I just canít stop watching it. Iím watching Season 5 already. I know a lot of people will root for Jimmy McNultyÖ Me? No cops! My favorite characters would be Bodie Broadus or Marlo Stanfield.

Just got to Kaunas after losing against Unicaja in Game 2 of the Euroleague regular season. It was a tough game, a tough loss. In the NBA when you lose a game, you go to the next one. Over here you can’t: Every game counts.

this would have been a good time for the facepalm smilie.

ValanciunasFanboy

10-27-2011 09:15 PM

:D I guess it has a facepalm subtext given Raptors last season. But it is kind of true. 10 game "regular season" is very different from 82.
3 losses in a row in the NBA - sucks but few teams can avoid that; Miami did it, Boston did it, LA did it. In Euroleague, that can get a coach fired.

Btw, did you know that the club owner suggested his players to wear diapers after that Malaga loss (in the postgame conference)? Yes, he's that crazy. That shit doesn't happen in the NBA. So there's a whole lot of context to what Weems is saying here.

'trane

10-27-2011 09:23 PM

there is no doubt that things are different in the euroleague. i think most of us are well aware of that. but the implication is that some nba games don't count, which is exactly why weems is not a consistent nba talent.

and it doesn't help when you say really dumb shit like this:

Quote:

Traveling is always good because it opens your eyes a lot. There’s really good cities besides Miami, L.A. and other cities you know about.

Someguy again

10-27-2011 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'trane
(Post 577115)

this would have been a good time for the facepalm smilie.

well one could say that he was so used to the raptor's locker room atmosphere, its not like the players on our team didn't know the low expectations and constant reports of "just another tanking season for the raps", probably the reason why he said that. yes a stupid thing to say but arent euroleague seasons much shorter, plus you have an entire country backing you and not only that but he's the one with the high expectations now, the popular import from the most popular league in the world, that has to increase the importance of each game to him. his status in that league is on the line, unlike here where he's considered a 7th - 8th man

ValanciunasFanboy

10-27-2011 09:42 PM

well he's only mentioning the cities that hoopshype readers might know. Who the heck knows Toronto? :)

i didn't notice any of these things before you pointed them out. At least he's not offering to beat the crap out of fans on twitter like Ty Lawson.

Now that you mention it, I guess he can be interpreted in negative light.
I don't think he should be though.
Obviously, he only meant that you are supposed to get over a loss fast in the NBA because there's another equally important game in a day or two.
And that ppl should try to look beyond all the hyped up places in US.

It is kind of weird that he didn't put in any courtesy lines towards Toronto or Kaunas. Not that Kaunas in particular is anything great but it's the first thing a PR-savy person would do, give a bone to your fans. I guess Weems just isn't used to this whole media / PR thing yet.

'trane

10-27-2011 09:49 PM

alls i'm saying is it wasn't well said.

box92

10-28-2011 01:25 AM

I actually liked it

Haters gunna Hate

ollyaaa

10-30-2011 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValanciunasFanboy
(Post 577121)

Obviously, he only meant that you are supposed to get over a loss fast in the NBA because there's another equally important game in a day or two.
And that ppl should try to look beyond all the hyped up places in US.

Clearly. I'm amazed some of the other posters couldnt work that out.

Nice article, thanks.

'trane

10-30-2011 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollyaaa
(Post 577484)

Clearly. I'm amazed some of the other posters couldnt work that out.

Nice article, thanks.

clearly you are talking about me, since i am the only other poster that mentioned this.

first, i did manage to work that out, thanks very much. it helps that i am not a colossal idiot.

second, there is an associated implication with what he said. my point was that he worded it poorly, and it appears as an example of why he was not a very successful nba player. the good ones don't take games off. what do you think kobe would say if you suggested that some games don't count? or jordan? or bird? these guys would destroy you for the chance to win a mid-december game. and by not acknowledging that, weems just illustrates the same kind of half-assed approach we saw when he played for the raps. taking plays off, taking games off, not going hard all the time... that's what separates the stars from the weak players. and even journeymen, although they are not supremely talented, make a solid career for themselves by showing up every day and working their butts off. because that's what it takes. and it appears that sonny doesn't realize that.

so maybe you could try to look a bit deeper into what i said instead of assuming that i am a moron and wasn't able to 'work that out'.

Des

11-10-2011 07:24 PM

Just back from Euroleague game. I say - i respect Weems twice as much i did when he was playing for Torronto. He is a real leader by example. Our team has other well known NBA player - Ty Lawson, but Lawson is nowhere near Weems.
Several good thing i'd like to point out:
* he came prepared in a good form - that tells a lot about his work ethics;
* he is a quick learner - usually it take some time until NBA player accustomizes to european style of play, like Lawson. Weems managed to do it in no time.
* he tells the right things and looks like a mature player.
* if he'll play like this all the season, then our team and NBA will not see Weems soon - his contract will scyrocket in Europe.

Best wishes,
DeS

box92

11-10-2011 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Des
(Post 578772)

Just back from Euroleague game. I say - i respect Weems twice as much i did when he was playing for Torronto. He is a real leader by example. Our team has other well known NBA player - Ty Lawson, but Lawson is nowhere near Weems.
Several good thing i'd like to point out:
* he came prepared in a good form - that tells a lot about his work ethics;
* he is a quick learner - usually it take some time until NBA player accustomizes to european style of play, like Lawson. Weems managed to do it in no time.
* he tells the right things and looks like a mature player.
* if he'll play like this all the season, then our team and NBA will not see Weems soon - his contract will scyrocket in Europe.

Best wishes,
DeS

It doesnt matter, hes a part of the young gunz

carp

11-10-2011 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by box1992
(Post 578792)

It doesnt matter, hes a part of the young gunz

meh.... who really cares about a cheesy marketing bit

fizzgig

11-10-2011 09:31 PM

Sonny Weems in Europe - Stats, Highlights and Updates

Sonny has been outstanding for 'Zalgiris' so far this season, he's been overshadowing Ty Lawson and has become the leader and a clear fan favorite, with even the Lithuanian national team players taking a back seat to him.

He has been staying clear of all the drama that Ty Lawson got into with the fans and the fans have nothing but good things to say about this guy.

His team is currently 5th in the group in Euroleague with 1 win and 3 losses and even though his team isn't doing great , he's been phenomenal , he's the only guy who shows up to play basketball while the rest of his team look like they should be playing in the womens division.

He's been averaging 20.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.8 steals per game in the Euroleague. He's 56.3% from 3 and 48.8% from mid range. His FTs are at 68.8%.

Sonny's a talented player. It doesn't surprise me to see him do well in Europe.

Last season was rough for him, he really struggled when he wasn't 100% healthy. Hopefully he can refine his game and the Raptors can bring him back to the NBA as a more consistent contributor.

box92

11-11-2011 02:36 AM

Awesome stuff

box92

11-11-2011 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carp
(Post 578796)

meh.... who really cares about a cheesy marketing bit

I do alright, its our hope lol

MrClutch

11-11-2011 06:55 AM

Seems like hes really doing well down there

fizzgig

11-11-2011 08:26 AM

UPDATE : Sonnys house was robbed last night during the game.

snusnu

11-11-2011 06:37 PM

yeah, that was a shame that such things happen...
I think they will improve the security or will move him to other house...

as about his game - well, he's more than awesome.
He's far more better than ty lawson.. maybe ty is looking for end of lockout and saves himself, but weems is the best foreigner player, ever played in Zalgiris..

This is the presentation of Zalgiris before the game.
First they present Other team, later - Zalgiris Kaunas.:yeah: